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Aerial view of Joliet Catholic Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Joliet Catholic Academy

  • LocationJoliet, IL
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 598 students
Official website

Joliet Catholic Academy is a coeducational Catholic high school in Joliet, Illinois, in the Carmelite and Franciscan traditions. Four years of theology are required, and every student completes 60 hours of Christian Service over four years. Campus Ministry offers retreats in every grade, reconciliation during Advent and Lent, and Eucharistic celebrations in the school chapel, which is open throughout the day.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Joliet Catholic Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Ambrose Roman Catholic Church: 0.8 mi1Cathedral of Saint Raymond Nonnatus: 1.4 mi2Saint Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church: 1.6 mi3Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church: 1.6 mi4Holy Cross Catholic Church: 1.8 mi5Saint Mary's Nativity Catholic Church: 2.0 mi6JCA Campus Ministry Office and Chapel: 0.2 miJoliet Catholic Academy (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Ambrose Roman Catholic Church — 0.8 mi
  2. Cathedral of Saint Raymond Nonnatus — 1.4 mi · 604 Raynor Avenue, Joliet
  3. Saint Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church — 1.6 mi
  4. Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church — 1.6 mi
  5. Holy Cross Catholic Church — 1.8 mi
  6. Saint Mary's Nativity Catholic Church — 2.0 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

DSacramental life: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Sacramental life

46 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearA few times a year (All-school Masses are held on Holy Days of Obligation and other special days.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All-school Masses are held on Holy Days of Obligation and other special days”
      All-school Masses are held on Holy Days of Obligation and other special days.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (Students may receive reconciliation during the holy seasons of Advent and Lent. Other times are arranged through the Campus Ministry Office.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are given the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the holy seasons of Advent and Lent.”
      Students may receive reconciliation during Advent and Lent.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are celebrated on campus. Recorded as parttime.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All-school Masses are held on Holy Days of Obligation and other special days”
      All-school Masses are held on Holy Days of Obligation and other special days.
    2. 2026-2027 Parent-Student Handbook | Joliet Catholic Academyresources.finalsite.net/images/v1789586200/jcaonlineorg/ovlsir1c2r2frc4esjyn/2026-2027Parent-StudentHandbook9-16-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Regular celebrations of the Eucharist take place in the school chapel.”
      Regular celebrations of the Eucharist take place in the school chapel. No frequency is stated.
ATheology and curriculum: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and curriculum

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (The 2026-2027 handbook requires 4.00 credits in theology in each graduation track, and Theology I, II, III and IV are specific graduation requirements.)
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-2027 Parent-Student Handbook | Joliet Catholic Academyresources.finalsite.net/images/v1789586200/jcaonlineorg/ovlsir1c2r2frc4esjyn/2026-2027Parent-StudentHandbook9-16-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each student must also complete 60 hours of Christian Service during his/her four years”
      The handbook requires 60 hours of Christian Service over four years for graduation.
      “4.00 Credits in Theology”
      The handbook requires 4.00 credits in theology for graduation.
    2. Faith | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “four years of religious studies are required”
      Four years of religious studies are required.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Yes (The school's mission statement says it inspires growth in knowledge and faith and cultivates academic excellence in Catholic values.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission & Profile | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/about/mission-profile · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Inspiring growth in knowledge and faith since 1869, the Joliet Catholic Academy family creates an environment that cultivates opportunities for academic excellence”
      The mission statement pairs growth in knowledge and faith with academic excellence.
ACampus culture: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Campus culture

90 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Freshmen, sophomores and juniors take an annual day of renewal, and seniors must complete the Kairos retreat or an approved overnight retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshmen, sophomores and juniors are required to participate in an annual day of renewal.”
      Freshmen, sophomores and juniors take an annual day of renewal.
      “As a requirement for graduation, students must participate in one of the following during their senior year”
      Seniors must complete the Kairos retreat or an approved overnight retreat.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two campus ministers are listed: Dr. Robert Bailey and Mrs. Melisa Ferro.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “took over as a Campus Minister in 2022”
      Dr. Robert Bailey is a campus minister.
      “returned to JCA in 2016”
      Mrs. Melisa Ferro is a campus minister who returned to JCA in 2016.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (Music Ministry is the only faith-based group found in the official clubs and organizations list.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Organizations | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/student-life/clubs-organizations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter Hillzone”
      A Habitat for Humanity campus chapter and Music Ministry are listed among the school's clubs and organizations.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The school website publishes a daily prayer with announcements for each school day.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Daily Prayer & Announcements | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/my-jca/prayer-announcements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Prayer & Announcements”
      The school publishes a daily prayer with announcements.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (Every student must complete 60 hours of Christian Service over four years.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Christian Service | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith/christian-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will complete 60 service hours cumulatively over their four years at JCA.”
      Students complete 60 Christian Service hours over four years.
    2. 2026-2027 Parent-Student Handbook | Joliet Catholic Academyresources.finalsite.net/images/v1789586200/jcaonlineorg/ovlsir1c2r2frc4esjyn/2026-2027Parent-StudentHandbook9-16-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each student must also complete 60 hours of Christian Service during his/her four years”
      The handbook requires 60 hours of Christian Service over four years for graduation.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The school lists a Habitat for Humanity campus chapter, and all students complete Christian Service hours. The Habitat chapter is a service group rather than a justice club.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs & Organizations | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/student-life/clubs-organizations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter Hillzone”
      A Habitat for Humanity campus chapter and Music Ministry are listed among the school's clubs and organizations.
    2. Christian Service | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith/christian-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will complete 60 service hours cumulatively over their four years at JCA.”
      Students complete 60 Christian Service hours over four years.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Four years of theology are required for graduation.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “four years of religious studies are required”
      Four years of religious studies are required.
    2. 2026-2027 Parent-Student Handbook | Joliet Catholic Academyresources.finalsite.net/images/v1789586200/jcaonlineorg/ovlsir1c2r2frc4esjyn/2026-2027Parent-StudentHandbook9-16-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4.00 Credits in Theology”
      The handbook requires 4.00 credits in theology for graduation.
  • Every student completes 60 hours of Christian Service over four years, and a retreat is required in every grade.
    Sources (2)
    1. Christian Service | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith/christian-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will complete 60 service hours cumulatively over their four years at JCA.”
      Students complete 60 Christian Service hours over four years.
    2. Faith | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshmen, sophomores and juniors are required to participate in an annual day of renewal.”
      Freshmen, sophomores and juniors take an annual day of renewal.
      “As a requirement for graduation, students must participate in one of the following during their senior year”
      Seniors must complete the Kairos retreat or an approved overnight retreat.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

JCA Campus Ministry Office and Chapel

  • Address: 1200 N. Larkin Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: jolietcatholicacademy.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, jolietcatholicacademy.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, resources.finalsite.net, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

8 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 7 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Eucharistic celebrations in the school chapelOn campus
    Regular celebrations of the Eucharist take place in the school chapel. All-school Masses are held on Holy Days of Obligation and other special days.
    resources.finalsite.net, jolietcatholicacademy.org
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation
    Advent and Lent
    Students may receive reconciliation during the holy seasons of Advent and Lent, and at other times on request through the Campus Ministry Office.
    jolietcatholicacademy.org
  • Music Ministry
    Student music ministry listed among the school's clubs and organizations.
    jolietcatholicacademy.org

Faith formation 1

Retreats 2

  • Kairos retreat (seniors)
    Senior year; Girls Kairos October 6-9, 2026
    Kairos retreat offered to seniors. Seniors may instead complete an approved overnight retreat through a parish youth group or the Diocese.
    jolietcatholicacademy.org, jolietcatholicacademy.org
  • Annual day of renewal
    Annually
    Required annual day of renewal for freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
    jolietcatholicacademy.org

Service 2

  • Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter
    Campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity listed among the school's clubs and organizations.
    jolietcatholicacademy.org
  • Christian Service
    Four years; 60 hours required
    Required Christian Service program; 60 hours over four years.
    jolietcatholicacademy.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (3)
  1. Campus Ministry | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Campus Ministry implements programs that contribute to the spiritual welfare of the entire JCA community”
    Campus Ministry runs programs for the school community.
    “Campus Ministry implements programs that contribute to the spiritual welfare of the entire JCA community”
    Campus Ministry runs programs for the school community.
  2. Contact Us | Joliet Catholic Academyjolietcatholicacademy.org/about/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “1200 N. Larkin Avenue Joliet, IL 60435”
    The school's address is 1200 N. Larkin Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435.
  3. 2026-2027 Parent-Student Handbook | Joliet Catholic Academyresources.finalsite.net/images/v1789586200/jcaonlineorg/ovlsir1c2r2frc4esjyn/2026-2027Parent-StudentHandbook9-16-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “the JCA Chapel has been moved to the former library on campus.”
    The JCA Chapel is on campus in the former library.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
47 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.80%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.15.5 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseDiocese of Joliet, IL
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)598
Students in grades 9–12598
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio15.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges80%
SettingSuburb

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Diocese of Joliet

The see is currently vacant. The Most Reverend Dennis Edward Spies, Apostolic Administrator.

Source: diojoliet.org, usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Joliet Catholic Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Joliet Catholic Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Joliet.
What is Joliet Catholic Academy’s Compass Score?
71 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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